Otega Oweh withdrew from the NBA draft to return to Kentucky

Kentucky guard Otega Oweh Withdrawn his name from the NBA draft and will return to the Wildcats for his senior season, his agent Wilmer Jackson of Spencer Sports said on Wednesday.

“I received excellent comments from the NBA teams, but consensus was to return to school and have had a great year,” Oweh told Espn. “I want to try to go back even more my stock and put myself in the position to win a national championship with all the possible distinctions that accompany this.

Oweh had until 11:59 p.m. to make his decision to stay.

A 6 -foot 5 -inch goalkeeper from New Jersey, Oweh appreciated a campaign in small groups after his transfer to Kentucky from Oklahoma last spring. He has an average of careers in career at all levels, up 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 interceptions, which obtained the honors of the second all-sec team in the process.

Oweh was formidable on the section of the season, marking 20 points or more eight times in February and March – including two winners against his former school while doing 27.5 points in the two victories on the Sooners.

Oweh was invited to the combination of the NBA draft in Chicago, where he performed well in the two mixes 5 against 5. He collected 10 points and three assists during the first fray and followed him with 14 points and five rebounds the next day, being one of the best global defenders of the camp.

However, Oweh is officially back in the fold, Kentucky has solidified its case as a pre-season top-10 team. The Wildcats lost four of the five starters last season, but recharged via the transfer portal and the recruitment path.

“We have the talent to be team n ° 1 in the country,” Oweh told Espn. “Many guys who are hungry to take this jump, and this intensity to get the national championship No. 9 for Kentucky. I am delighted to play with everyone. It will be a fun year.”

Mark Pope and its staff landed the first 10 transfers Quaintance Jayden (9.4 ppg at Arizona State), Jaland Lowe (16.8 ppg at Pitt), Denzel Aberdeen (7.7 ppg in Florida), Kam Williams (9.3 ppg in Tulane) and Mouhamed Dioubate (7.2 ppg in alabama), while also bringing three recruits ESPN 100: Jasper Johnson (n ° 18), Malachi Moreno (n ° 25) and Braydon Hawthorne (n ° 81).

Oweh is the best repatriated, although a great man Brandon Garrison (5.9 ppg) should play a more important role, especially if the neighborhood – which has undergone surgery in March to repair a torn ACL – lacks time to start the season.

“My state of mind is trying to be the guy Alpha,” said Oweh. “I need to be that voice that leads the team. I am one of the rare guys who was there last year. I know the feeling of losing in Sweet 16. I intend to lead the group this year.”

The Kentucky will open its 2025-26 season with October exhibition matches against Purdue and Georgetown.